Meet Alexie Smith | Ceramic Artist & Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexie Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexie, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Unlike in other careers where you are at the mercy of others constantly while a creative career allows for me to just be curious and change as I grow as an individual.

I’ve always been a person who has been interested in process. I love knowing how things work and how to get from point A to point B. Being in the Arts allows for me to not only become engrossed in process but also allows for me to start over without any kind of hold ups besides time. In pottery especially if something doesn’t workout or doesn’t go in our way of thinking there is so much room to just restart with the least amount of upset feelings possible. Yes things go sideways but you can just start over and isn’t that the truth about life? Being able to pivot, retry, reinvent, and try something new is such a gift and the best way to practice that is in the arts. So now I’m a person who can adjust rather seamlessly.
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Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What I think sets me apart from others is that I learned quickly that what I love is the process and not making for the sake of making. I pour a lot of myself into every individual piece that I make. Having commissions is nice and all but I’ve found that I dislike them so much that it takes me out my studio and causes me to stop making in general. Those ideas don’t feel like my own and so the enjoyment is taken away from it in the beginning stages. Being able to understand that learn how to say “I’m not the artist for you.” When being asked for those things has helped a ton. Makes me more proud to say that all the things that I show case is because I wanted to make them and not someone else had an idea for me.

Sure wasn’t easy to get to where I am now. I would say for the most part my work hasn’t felt as though it was cohesive and that it felt as though i was still in process of discovering my “look” for a long time. Constantly trying new things and doing tons of skill building to bring myself to the part of now I can make things that feel like more of myself without having to learn a new skill in the process. The biggest practice I had that I think helped me grow the most is a spent and year making only plates and a year making only lamps. Both have their technical difficulties but getting those down to the point that i felt confident being consistent with them was a huge win for me.

Biggest challenges has to be not feeling good enough for folks to listen to me as I present information. Becoming an instructor on The Clay lady’s Campus was a big mind shift for me. “Who wants to listen to me?” “What do I have to contribute?” “I’m not someone of notability in this field.” These were question and statements I would tell myself all the time until I started to have returning students session after session and more and more folks seek out my opinion on process and concepts when it comes to Clay.

Lesson I’ve learned along the way is that we as people tend to put a limited belief on what success looks like. especially in the arts. If you are not putting your stuff in galleries you can’t be successful. If you aren’t selling your work you can’t be taken seriously. Thoughts like these are just not true. When you have faith, belief, and a longing to try that is what makes you successful. There are no guarantees in this life but trying something is so much better than not trying and beating yourself up for not taking a chance on yourself.

I want the world to know that there is so much out there. Not everything that we do, love, care, about need to be for profit. These things can just bring us joy. Through that joy opportunities will naturally come and you will be taken care of. The joyful will bring healing to more hearts that you would never come in contact with other wise.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh man, this is such a fun and scary question!

Nashville has so much to give and show folks. I’ve been here for almost ten years and still have yet to make a dent in what there is to do.

I would for sure suggest going to a Predator’s game. Even if hockey isn’t your thing which it wasn’t one of mine you can feel a love for those guys who go out on the ice and do their absolute best every time they get to play. Food wise there are so many options but I would check out the Gulch area and bring them to Sunda excellent food and great atmosphere for those who want to a fancy dinner or just a nicer evening. The Gumbo Bros has some of the best Cajun style food in town. I have had excellent friendship gatherings there. You can’t forget about The Frist Art Museum brings some of the best gallery exhibits that I’ve been able to experience as an artist.

When it comes to more adventure stuff there are so much quick drives out to awesome hiking areas and for a fun even being able to jump into a Hip Hop Class at Area 54 in CoolSprings is the Best! Some of the best people I’ve been able to create friendships with and Jordan the lovely lady who created a space to bring folks who want to dance there faces off both new and experienced is next two none! Always a good time and everyone needs to try it at least once.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Need to give a shout out to Danielle: The Clay Lady and The Clay Lady’s Campus.

Having worked in Clay as a medium of choice for years and freshly moving to a new state, new city, and new surroundings. I honestly thought my time in clay had been over and I would have to find a new way to express myself. Having a couple of jobs that felt unfulfilling and needing to get back into my creative spirit I figured I’d look into clay first before jumping ship. Came across the campus and was quickly invited in. Starting as a student taking class to get my hands dirty and keep me grounded. Then helping out in the warehouse of the supply store about 4 hours a week. To now being a full time employee who now gets to help others discover, navigate, and pursue this beautiful medium that I find so much joy in.

There are few people in this would that you see them in their element and no matter how hard it is they make it look as though they a thriving and Danielle is just that and so much more. It’s a pleasure of mine to play a small part in building up and helping to cultivate the community that has given so of the most life changing moments in my life.

Instagram: LXCeramix (new page for just my work) or YouKnowLex (more of my personal page you can see my work and also some deeper insight to my life)

Image Credits
Photo of myself goes out to my studio neighbor Jen